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‘Modi Govt’s Crackdown on Black Money a Sham’: Congress in RS

The Opposition parties, including the Congress, on Thursday, 19 July, staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha, in response to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's comments on mob lynchings. Singh condemned the recent lynchings but also said state governments should do more to maintain law and order. He said the Centre had issued an advisory on the matter in 2016, and another one recently.

Rajnath Singh condemned lynchings across India and said state governments should do more

Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP over the proposed amendments to the RTI Act

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted a no-trust motion against the government on Wednesday

Congress Calls Centre's War on Black Money a Sham

The Congress party on Thursday targeted the BJP over its failure to curb corruption and black money.

Congress MP Anand Sharma, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, said that government was using various investigation agencies to target Opposition leaders.

The CBI and Enforcement Directorate are being used by the government to target our leaders. "Are there two laws in the nation? One implemented from the political point of view for political rivals and the other for your own people who face serious allegations?"

The Centre, Sharma said, had misled the entire nation, and the government's crackdown on the blackmoney was a sham.

Sharma also questioned the government why Lokpal had not been appointed even four years after BJP came to power.

Opposition Stages Walkout Following Rajnath's Statement on Lynchings

The Opposition parties staged a walkout following Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s address in the Lok Sabha, where he spoke on the recent lynchings. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned PM Modi’s silence over the issue of lynchings, and said when leaders stay quiet, it gives a licence to those who perpetrate such violence.

“The Home Minister's statement in Lok Sabha on mob lynching was not satisfactory at all, that is why we staged a walkout from the house. This is not a game of ping pong that states and Centre keep shifting responsibilities,” Tharoor told media outside parliament.

Mob Lynchings Unfortunate, Fake News the Culprit: Rajnath Singh in LS

Home Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Lok Sabha on the issue of fake news and other rumours leading to the killing of many people across the country over the last few months. He said the government has taken cognisance of the matter, and he has personally discussed the matter with almost every chief minister in the country.

Singh said these incidents are unfortunate. "We had issued an advisory on this recently, and one in 2016 also. Social media being used to spread fake news and rumours is also a reason. We have asked social sites for regulation," he said.

Opposition Demands Apology from MoS Jayant Sinha

The Opposition leaders chanted ‘Jayant tum maafi maango’ (apologise, Jayant) in the Lok Sabha, asking Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha to apologise for garlanding a group of men convicted of lynching a cattle trader in Jharakhand last year.

Rahul Gandhi Likely to Address Parliament Tomorrow

CNN-News18, quoting sources, reported that Congress President Rahul Gandhi was expected to address the Parliament on Friday, 20 July. Gandhi had earlier expressed displeasure over the BJP’s proposed amendments to the RTI Act. He is also expected to lead the Congress in the debate on the no-trust motion in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Congress Protests Outside Parliament

Congress leaders protested against the BJP-led government outside the Parliament, demanding rights for farmers.

Rahul Gandhi Attacks BJP over Proposed Amendments to RTI Act

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP which has proposed changes to the Right to Information Act. Rahul, in a tweet, said that every Indian has the right to know. "The BJP believes the truth must be hidden from the people and they must not question people in power. The changes proposed to the RTI will make it a useless Act. They must be opposed by every Indian," he wrote.

Every Indian has the right to know the truth. The BJP believes the truth must be hidden from the people and they must not question people in power. The changes proposed to the RTI will make it a useless Act. They must be opposed by every Indian. #SaveRTIpic.twitter.com/4mjBTwQnYK

Congress Moves Adjournment Motion

Congress on Thursday, 18 July, moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha over the issue of mob lynching.

The move comes a day after Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir informed the Rajya Sabha that the government does not maintain specific data on lynching incidents in the country.

Jan Adhikar Party MP Pappu Yadav Moves Adjournment Motion

Jan Adhikar Party parliamentarian Pappu Yadav today moved an adjournment motion over the issue of special status to Bihar ahead of the second day of the monsoon session.

Opposition to Oppose RTI Bill in Rajya Sabha

The Opposition is all set to oppose the RTI bill in the Rajya Sabha today, The Indian Express reported. The Opposition leaders say that they won’t let the government dilute the RTI Act.

Congress Exudes Confidence Over Success of 'No-Confidence Motion'

The Congress exuded confidence on Wednesday over the success of the 'no-confidence motion' against the Modi government and accused it of failing on all fronts by not keeping its promises made to the people, reported PTI.

Addressing a joint press conference, Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Rajiv Satav said the Narendra Modi government has failed to fulfill various promises it had made to the people of the country before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, dubbing the government as "jumlo ki sarkar".

"We are happy that the speaker has decided to take up the ‘no-confidence motion’ against the Modi government on Friday. We are very confident that we will be successful in this ‘no-confidence motion’." - KC Venugopal

MK Stalin Shows Support to Rahul Gandhi Over Women's Reservation Bill

DMK working president MK Stalin supported Congress President Rahul Gandhi in his appeal to PM Narendra Modi to ensure the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. Stalin tweeted: “DMK President @kalaignar89 (Kalaignar Karunanidhi) has always advocated for greater representation of women in elected bodies (sic).”

DMK President @kalaignar89 has always advocated for greater representation of women in elected bodies. On behalf of my party, I express our wholehearted support to @RahulGandhi in his efforts and urge @PMOIndia to ensure early passage of the Women's Reservation Bill. https://t.co/tyvo0dEBxC

In response, Rahul Gandhi thanked Stalin and tweeted: “Thank you @mkstalin. Spoken like a true leader and a great son of Tamil Nadu. Women are the key to the accelerated development of India. The Women's Reservation Bill recognises this fact. It's time for all political parties to come together to support this bill in Parliament (sic).”

Thank you @mkstalin. Spoken like a true leader and a great son of Tamil Nadu. Women are the key to the accelerated development of India. The Women's Reservation Bill recognises this fact. It's time for all political parties to come together to support this bill in Parliament. https://t.co/0vmyBpuMpW

BJP, TMC Issues Three-Line Whip

BJP has issued three-line whip over the no-confidence motion. The party has also asked its allies in NDA to issue whip.

As the Chief Whip of @BJP4India, I have issued a three line whip requesting all BJP Lok Sabha MP's to be present positively in the house on 19th & 20th July to support @NarendraModi Government's stand.

All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also issued a whip to its MPs over the same issue. TMC’s Dinesh Trivedi told ANI, “21 of July is a very important day for TMC. We observe it as a martyrs day for 14 youth TMC workers who were killed. All 34 MPs of TMC are therefore busy.”

He added, “But, no-confidence motion is a very important aspect of Parliament. We had requested the speaker and government to change the date. We protested but couldn't convince them. So, all MPs have been asked to come to Delhi.”

BJP Confident of Proving its Numbers in the Lok Sabha

The BJP had, in 2014, come to power with over 280 seats on its own. Even today, the party holds a wafer-thin majority in the Lok Sabha, despite successive losses in the by-elections.

The strength of the lower house is 543, but 4 seats are lying vacant, bringing down the majority mark to 270. Currently, the BJP has 272 members, including the speaker, which is why the party is confident of proving its numbers even without its NDA constituents. The NDA, in total, has 313 seats.

No-confidence Motion to be Discussed on Friday

The Lok Sabha will discuss the no-confidence motion, moved by the Opposition parties, on Friday, while the Rajya Sabha will discuss the matter on Monday.

Rajya Sabha Adjourned till 2 PM, Lok Sabha Till 2:10 PM

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the second time in the day. The proceedings will once again start at 2 PM now. The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2:10 PM.

Shashi Tharoor Launches Attack on BJP

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, whose office was recently attacked, said that it wasn't just an assualt on "constitutionally provided office but larger attempt by ruling party to destroy idea of India and accepting pluralism." Swami Agnivesh was also attacked. "We shouldn't stand by as mob lynching and hooliganism rule democracy," he said.

Opposition Parties Move No-trust Motion Against Modi Government

Congress, Left and the NCP have a moved a no-confidence motion against the PM Modi-led government, four years after it came to power with over 280 seats in the Lok Sabha, excluding the seats won by other NDA constituents. Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted the motion, and the Government has also agreed to take it up for the discussion.

SP and TDP Leaders Raise Slogans in the Well of the Lok Sabha

Samajwadi Party and Telugu Desam Party MPs are currently raising slogans in the well of the Lok Sabha for two different reasons. While the SP is protesting the rising incidents of mob lynchings, TDP leaders are demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia today attacked the BJP government over farmer suicides and security of women, saying: “the government which led farmers to commit suicide, under whose regime women were being raped every day... We move no-confidence motion against you”.

Rajya Sabha Adjourned

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon after the TDP parliamentarians raised slogans, demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Opposition Leaders Raise Slogans in Lok Sabha

The Opposition leaders are raising “we want justice” slogans in the well of the house even as Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh speaks. The Opposition leaders demand the adjournment of the question hour.

Agenda for 18 July for the two Houses of Parliament:

Lok Sabha

Bills to be introduced:

The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabhilitation) Bill, 2018

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor today tweeted that he hoped the BJP and its allies and supporters will let the parliament function. "It would be a disgrace if we saw a repeat of proxy disruption so the Govt can push its bills through in the din," he wrote on Twitter.

PM Narendra Modi Addresses Media Before Monsoon Session Begins

The government is ready to discuss every possible issue. "Discussion on various important issues is necessary in the upcoming Monsoon session," PM Modi said, hoping all the parties will make the most of Parliament's time. "If any party, any member wants to discuss any issue, we are ready to discuss it," he added. The Prime Minister also urged all political parties to allow the Parliament to function smoothly.

The Congress and other Opposition parties have already moved a no-trust motion against the BJP-led government even before the proceedings started on the first day of the Monsoon session of the parliament, reported NDTV.

YSR Congress Protests Outside Parliament

YSR Congress MPs are currently protetsing at the Gandhi statue in the Parliaement, demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

After TMC and RJD, CPI MP D Raja Submits Adjournment Motion

CPI Parliamentarian D Raja has submitted an adjournment motion in the Rajya Sabha over cases of mob lynching and an attack on Swami Agnivesh allegedly by BJP Yuva Morcha on Tuesday.

TDP Submits Notice for No-trust Motion

The Congress party on Tuesday said it will bring a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the monsoon session of Parliament and added that it is in talks with other opposition parties on the issue, IANS reported.

Going a step ahead, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday submitted a notice for no-trust motion. It asked the Lok Sabha Secretary General to include the no-trust motion in the list of business on Wednesday -- the opening day of the session.

A day after Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to the PM Modi offering him Congress’ “unconditional support” to have the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in the Parliament, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back, asking the Congress president “why was the Bill allowed to lapse during the UPA regime”.

The BJP leader, in his letter to Gandhi, said that the Bill on women’s reservation “should be passed along with the anti-triple talaq and the nikah halala bills”. Notably, the Congress has expressed its reservations against the anti-triple talaq bill in its current form.

In the all-party meeting called a day before the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, AAP leader Sanjay Singh raised the issue of alleged discrimination by the Centre against the Delhi government and hoped that the prime minister would address the issue.

The opposition parties also raised the issue of not granting of reservation to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in higher education during the meeting, reported PTI.

Speaking about the meeting of Opposition parties that was convened on Monday to decide on their agenda in the Monsoon session, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said:

"Yesterday (Monday), a 12-party meeting was held and we agreed upon bringing a vote of no-confidence. We will also demand the special status for Andhra Pradesh and by tonight we will mobilise (support for) it as much as possible." - Mallikarjun Kharge

Kharge also said that various issues, such as lynchings, foreign policy ‘failures’, jobs and safety of women will be brought up during the Monsoon session.

BJP Appoints Anurag Thakur as its Chief Whip in Lok Sabha

A day before the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, the BJP appointed Anurag Thakur as its chief whip in the Lok Sabha.

All-party Meeting was Positive, says BJP's Ananth Kumar

BJP leader Ananth Kumar, who attended the all-party meeting on Tuesday, said that party leaders had agreed to allow smooth functioning of the house during the monsson session.

PM Modi Chairs All-party Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently chairing an all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Congress and BJP Leaders Arrive Ahead of All-party meet

Congress's Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad and the BJP's Ananth Kumar and Vijay Goel and NCP's Sharad Pawar arrive for an all-party meeting ahead of monsoon session of the parliament.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to Address All-Party Meeting Today

Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will hold discussions with leaders of various political parties at a dinner meeting today.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will start on July 18. According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the speaker will seek the support of the parties in ensuring smooth functioning of the session and passage of various pending bills.